Pages

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Acting Is My Vocation

Remember that you are an actor in a drama of such sort as the Author chooses--if short, then in a short one; if long, then in a long one.  If it be his pleasure that you should enact a poor man, or a cripple, or a ruler, or a private citizen, see that you act it well.  For this is your business--to act well the given part, but to choose it belongs to another.--Epictetus

First, let me note that I have never considered myself very stoic and am not particularly Providentialist . . . .  Yet I found myself particularly inspired upon reading the above quote from an ancient Stoic.

The idea of our world being a stage on which we have very clear and specific parts has always intrigued me.  I first encountered this concept in Shakespeare's As You Like It, where the jester Jacques suggested the idea as a wise perspective on life and trouble.  It is rather a comforting thought because it gives a sense of purpose and direction to our lives.

There is a sense of purpose to be found in being chosen to play a specific part on life's stage.  One must be found worthy to play a part.  He must possess those characteristics that best suit him to play it well.  In this realization, there is inherent well-being and self-confidence.  Being given a structured part also assures one of the value of his experiences.  Love is more meaningful, sorrow less hopeless, joy more all-encompassing--because there is purpose in each event of life.  Nothing is for naught.  Thus, the over-arching sense of purpose creates a second good in the drama of life--a sense of direction.

This sense of direction is the framework of life for those who will accept their part and determine to play it well.  Doing one's best to follow the natural plan for life protects us from death and disease and stress and pain.  Such is "the good life" that has long been sought.  Those who rebel against natural laws and authorities find their paths strewn with difficulty.

Thinking of acting under God's direction makes the idea of vocation so simple.  I really like simple.  Following God's plan for one's life does not need to be difficult or stressful.  It involves making each decision--assessing each opportunity--in light of what God would want us to do each moment.  We must act as God would have us.  Then we have to trust God to bring the right opportunities and help us to make the right decisions.  That is the hard part--trust.

But God has given us wondrous promises if we will trust Him, and part of the joy of following His plan is the beautiful surprising that would not exist if we planned life ourselves.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your heart and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)

"Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." (Ps. 37:4-5)